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Ultimate Stars Dual AK4495 384KHz 32Bit DSD DAC Dual AK4495 384KHz 32Bit DSD DAC by Ultimate Stars TEXT and images Below From original owner. thank you- Borrowed his images on different filter settings. Here is a dual AK4495 DAC recommended to the original owner by SNAmember @Ozcall (RIP) who fitted Burson opamps into the DAC. I had been interested in the work that @Ozcall had been doing, building and modding gear, and was aware of his great reputation on SNA with his innovative ways of seeking out great sounds. When I saw this DAC for sale with his fingerprints on it I couldn't resist.
This listing timing matters because the AK4495 is a now-older chip replaced by the AK4497 and subsequent Velvet Sound variants, making it a solid mid-tier choice rather than a cutting-edge flagship. At A$400, the price sits in a fair-to-strong-deal range for this DAC in the Australian used market, where similar units with the AK4495 typically trade between A$350 and A$500 depending on condition and accessories. Since the listing notes “unknown” condition, it’s not a clear bargain yet, but it’s not ambitious either—A$400 is a reasonable entry point if the unit functions cleanly.
The AK4495 is well-regarded for its smooth, musical sound with excellent DSD handling up to DSD128 and robust USB support via the XMOS XU208 card. It delivers the warm, analog-like character that many hi-fi enthusiasts seek, especially with PCM and DSD files. The real upside here is the chip’s proven reliability and the fact that it’s no longer in new production, so used units are becoming harder to find. If the seller confirms it powers up, has no noise issues, and includes the original power cable, this is a worthwhile buy for a budget-conscious listener chasing that classic AKM sound.
Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.
Dual emerged from the Black Forest region of Germany in 1907, when brothers Christian and Joseph Steidinger began manufacturing clockwork and gramophone components in St. Georgen. The company adopted its now-iconic name in 1927 after pioneering dual-mode power supplies that allowed gramophones to operate from either mains electricity or mechanical wind-up mechanisms. This innovation marked the beginning of Dual's transition from component supplier to full-fledged audio manufacturer, establishing a foundation of engineering precision that would define the brand for decades.
Dual built its reputation primarily as a turntable specialist, becoming Europe's largest turntable manufacturer by the post-war era with over 3,000 employees across multiple factories. Beyond vinyl playback, the company expanded into cassette players, CD players, and broader consumer electronics throughout the 1970s and 1980s, demonstrating versatility across analog and digital formats. The company's focus on mechanical excellence and stable drive systems earned it recognition as a dependable, quality-focused manufacturer throughout its European heyday.
Today, Dual occupies a fragmented market position following corporate restructuring in the 1990s and subsequent ownership changes. The original German turntable line continues production in St. Georgen under Alfred Fehrenbacher GmbH, maintaining traditional manufacturing standards and appealing to vintage enthusiasts and collectors. Separately, Namsung Electronics markets Dual-branded consumer electronics in the Americas at accessible price points. The brand's legacy rests primarily on its classic turntables, which remain highly sought after by collectors and audiophiles valuing precision engineering and heritage craftsmanship.
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